Trump: 'Certainly Looks' As Though Saudi Writer is Dead

President Donald Trump said he needs to learn more about the killing of a Saudi journalist and will be working with Congress on the U.S. response.

Speaking late Saturday after a campaign rally in Nevada, he said he will be talking to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman soon.

Saudi authorities have said Khashoggi died in a "brawl" with Saudi officials at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2, the latest in a series of conflicting explanations for his death. The country's explanation has sparked allegations of a cover-up intended to shield the powerful crown prince. Turkish officials suspect a team of Saudi agents was sent to assassinate him.

Trump initially said he believed the Saudi account, but on Saturday he said he still does not know where Khashoggi's body is.

Senators Vow to Act If Khashoggi Killed by Saudis

Some members of Congress say the U.S. must act against Saudi Arabia if the country's leaders are responsible for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but they differ on exactly what that action would entail.

(Published Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018)

Trump said: "We'd like to find out where it is and what happened... And I think we're inching our way there."

Meanwhile, the European Union said the emerging details of Khashoggi's death are "deeply troubling" and that a "continued thorough, credible and transparent investigation" is needed.

Saudi Arabia said 18 Saudi suspects were in custody and intelligence officials had been fired. But critics believe the complex scheme that led to Khashoggi's death could not have occurred without the knowledge of Mohammed bin Salman.